Heavy Metals and Aflatoxin Contaminants in Commercial and Desi Poultry Eggs Consumed in District Peshawar-Pakistan

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine heavy metals and aflatoxin contaminants in commercial and desi poultry eggs consumed in District Peshawar-Pakistan. A total of 650 egg samples was collected from commercial and desi poultry from three different sale points. Among them, 216 eggs were selected for analysis. All egg samples were tested for incidence of heavy metals, iron (Fe), cupper (Cu) & lead (Pb) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The average concentration of Fe in commercial eggs was recorded 6.16±0.17ppm, Cu 0.37±.05ppm and Pb 0.32±0.01ppm, respectively. The average concentration of Fe, Cu and Pb in desi poultry eggs was 3.69±0.08^, 0.21±0.008 and 0.15±0.02 ppm, respectively. It was concluded that the level of heavy metals is higher in commercial, while both commercial and desi eggs contain heavy metal concentrations below the permissible limited. There was no significant effect of cooking and freezing on the level of heavy metals. The significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between commercial and desi egg yolk. Aflatoxin B1 and heavy metals concentration in chicken eggs were analyzed through TLC and atomic absorption. The results showed that AFB1 contamination levels in commercial eggs were more than desi eggs. The average aflatoxin B1 level was 2.77±0.00 ppb in commercial eggs. Whereas, in desi eggs no aflatoxin B1 was detected. The significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between the commercial and desi egg for aflatoxin B1. The permissible level of aflatoxin B1in eggs was 3µg/g. In the present study, the level of aflatoxin B1 residue was in range, from 2-3 ppb, which was not more than the permissible limit. Our present study reveals that eggs consumed in District Peshawar-Pakistan are safe for human consumption and there is no risk of heavy metals and aflatoxin contamination.